First Federal supports college's Electrical Power Technology Center

January 23, 2013

Michael Mahler, president and CEO of First Federal of Northern Michigan, recently presented Alpena Community College officials with a donation of $3,500 from its First Federal Community Foundation. This gift represents the first installment toward their $10,000 pledge to the college's Electrical Power Technology Center project.

Mahler said, "First Federal of Northern Michigan is excited to be involved in the Electrical Power Technology Center project because of the impact it will have on our community. Supporting these types of community oriented projects is exactly what the board had intended when they formed the First Federal Community Foundation back in 2005."

ACC's Electrical Power Technology Center project is a $5 million partnership between the State of Michigan and private financial resources. On June 25, 2012, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed a higher education capital outlay bill which granted $2.5 million to ACC for its project.

Article Photos

Courtesy PhotoACC President Olin Joynton, left, and Penny Boldrey, executive director of the ACC Foundation, accept a donation from Michael Mahler, president and CEO of First Federal of Northern Michigan.

In anticipation of the $2.5 million from the state, the college began its fundraising efforts in May 2011 to raise the required $2.5 million match. To date, approximately $1.6 million has been raised toward the $2.5 million ACC match, which includes a $1 million bequest from the estate of Alpena businessman Ferris H. Werth.

In addition, the Besser Foundation presented ACC with a $250,000 challenge grant in support of the EPTC project, which will provide a one-to-one match for every dollar donated.

The ACC Foundation trustees have initiated a $600,000 fundraising campaign themed, Building a Powerful Future, to assist the college with funding for the Electrical Power Technology Center. The remaining funds will be secured from industry partners, foundations and college funds.

According to Penny Boldrey, executive director of the ACC Foundation, "We applaud First Federal of Northern Michigan and its foundation for taking a leadership role in support of the Electrical Power Technology Center project with their generous commitment."